NBA odds: Look for Utah Jazz to keep rolling at Orlando

The Orlando Magic are on the back end of a back-to-back and the NBA odds say that’s a bad time to host the Utah Jazz, who have been money in the bank lately

The Orlando Magic are coming off a surprising — OK, shocking — 20-point win Friday night over the Miami Heat in their first game without rising star Jonathan Isaac. But when the Utah Jazz roll into Amway Center on Saturday, things could be a bit different.

For starters, Orlando is on the dreaded SEGABABA against a Jazz club that last played on Monday. The Magic had their emotional “win one for the injured guy” performance Friday night and could be flat on Saturday, as well.

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Then there’s what Utah has been doing. Nine wins in its last 10 games is just the beginning for the Jazz, who are 5-0 against the spread in their last five games and have covered four of the last five times they’ve faced Orlando.

The Magic are 4-2 ATS in their last six games, but have just two covers at home against Utah in the last nine years (2-7 ATS).

The Jazz are rolling right now, even without injured point guard Mike Conley, while Orlando is in a stretch during which they’ve lost three in a row, won two straight, lost two in a row and then won two straight again. Consistency doesn’t seem to be in their DNA right now.

These teams met a couple of weeks ago in Salt Lake City, with Utah taking a 109-102 and covering as 6½-point favorites.

The Jazz are 3½-point favorites as of this writing according to information provided courtesy of The Action Network and given their recent play, that’s a bet I’d take.

Utah Jazz at Orlando Magic

TV: AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain (Jazz), Fox Sports Florida (Magic)
Tickets: Amway Center, 7 p.m. local (7 p.m. Eastern)
Records: Utah 22-12 (17-17 ATS, 9-9 road ATS), Orlando 16-19 (15-18-2 ATS, 7-10-1 home ATS)

Availability report (as of 8:30 p.m. Eastern on Friday)
Utah: OUT–Jarrell Brantley (two-way, G League), Mike Conley (not with team), Miye Oni (G League), Nigel Williams-Goss (G League), Justin Wright-Foreman (two-way, G League).
Orlando: Not required to submit report until 1 p.m. Saturday. In Friday’s 105-85 win over the Heat, the Magic did not have Al-Farouq Aminu (right knee, torn meniscus), Michael Carter-Williams (left shoulder, AC joint sprain), Jonathan Isaac (left knee, posterior lateral corner injury/medial bone contusion) or B.J. Johnson (two-way, G League).

Here’s a look at the rest of Saturday’s busy 11-game NBA slate.

Memphis Grizzlies at LA Clippers

TV: Fox Sports Southeast-Memphis (Grizzlies), Fox Sports Prime Ticket (Clippers)
Tickets: Staples Center, 12:30 p.m. local (3:30 p.m. Eastern)
Records: Memphis 13-22 (16-18-1 ATS, 7-8-1 road ATS), LA 25-11 (20-15 ATS, 11-6 home ATS)

Availability report
Memphis: OUT–Andre Iguodala (not with team), Josh Jackson (G League), John Konchar (two-way, G League), Yuta Watanabe (two-way, G League); QUESTIONABLE–Jae Crowder (left ankle soreness).
LA: OUT–Patrick Beverley (sprained right wrist), Mfiondu Kabengele (G League), Terance Mann (G League); DOUBTFUL–Paul George (left hamstring tightness).

Notable: It will be a matinee start for the Memphis Grizzlies and LA Clippers, just after noon local time, and the Grizzlies are on the second game of a swing out west after losing at Sacramento on Thursday. Memphis is 2-2-1 ATS in its last five road games and the Clippers are 2-2 ATS in their last four at home.

Taking a broader view, LA is 9-4 ATS in its last 13 games and is 5-2 ATS in its last seven matchups with the Grizzlies. When these teams met in Memphis on Nov. 27, the Clippers fought their way to a 121-119 victory, but the Grizzlies got the cover as six-point underdogs. Injury-wise, the Grizz may not have Jae Crowder while LA is without Patrick Beverley for the third straight game.

Toronto Raptors at Brooklyn Nets

TV: TSN (Raptors), YES (Nets)
Tickets: Barclays Center, 6 p.m. local (6 p.m. Eastern)
Records: Toronto 23-12 (18-15-1 ATS, 7-8-1 road ATS), Brooklyn 16-17 (16-17 ATS, 9-6 home ATS)

Availability report
Toronto: OUT–Marc Gasol (strained left hamstring), Dewan Hernandez (sprained right ankle), Shamorie Ponds (two-way, G League), Norman Powell (left shoulder subluxation), Pascal Siakam (strained groin), Matt Thomas (left middle finger fracture).
Brooklyn: OUT–Nicolas Claxton (left hamstring soreness), Kevin Durant (right Achilles rehab), Kyrie Irving (right shoulder impingement); PROBABLE–Caris LeVert (right thumb surgery), Garrett Temple (right knee contusion).

Notable: The defending champs are extremely short-handed right now, with Pascal Siakam, Marc Gasol and Norman Powell still sidelined. But as the Toronto Raptors prepare to visit the sliding Brooklyn Nets, the truth is they have still been a very tough out, going 3-1 ATS in their last four on the road.

The Nets are 1-5 ATS in their last six games and have lost four in a row straight up, but will likely have Caris LeVert back for the first time since Nov. 10. LeVert has been out 24 games after surgery on his right thumb, but is probable for Saturday. Toronto won the first meeting this season, beating Brooklyn 110-102 at home on Dec. 14 and covering as a seven-point favorite.

Indiana Pacers at Atlanta Hawks

TV: Fox Sports Indiana (Pacers), Fox Sports Southeast-Atlanta (Hawks)
Tickets: State Farm Arena, 7:30 p.m. local (7:30 p.m. Eastern)
Records: Indiana 22-13 (18-14-3 ATS, 8-8 road ATS), Atlanta 7-28 (15-20 ATS, 8-7 home ATS)

Availability report
Indiana: OUT–Brian Bowen (two-way, G League), Malcolm Brogdon (sore lower back), Naz Mitrou-Long (right ankle sprain), Victor Oladipo (right knee rehab); QUESTIONABLE–Edmond Sumner (sore right knee).
Atlanta: Not required to submit report until 1 p.m. Saturday. In Friday’s 109-106 loss at Boston, Atlanta was without Charlie Brown (two-way, G League).

Notable: The Indiana Pacers were punched in the mouth at home on Thursday, losing to the Nuggets as Malcolm Brogdon sat out with a sore back. He has been downgraded to out for Saturday against an Atlanta Hawks team that was a plucky cover Friday night in a loss at Boston. The Pacers are 2-4 ATS in their last six games, while Atlanta comes home for a SEGABABA.

The Hawks are 4-8 ATS in their last 12 games, but have covered in their last two games and are 2-2 ATS in their last four at home. These teams have met twice already, with Indiana winning both, but Atlanta getting a cover in the 105-104 loss as 11-point road underdogs on Nov. 29. The Pacers were six-point favorites in Atlanta on Dec. 13 and covered with a 110-100 victory.

Oklahoma City Thunder at Cleveland Cavaliers

TV: Fox Sports Oklahoma (Thunder), Fox Sports Ohio (Cavaliers)
Tickets: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, 7:30 p.m. local (7:30 p.m. Eastern)
Records: Oklahoma City 19-15 (22-12 ATS, 11-5 road ATS), Cleveland 10-24 (14-18-2 ATS, 7-9-1 home ATS)

Availability report
Oklahoma City: OUT–Luguentz Dort (two-way, G League), Kevin Hervey (two-way, G League), Justin Patton (G League), Andre Roberson (left knee injury recovery).
Cleveland: OUT–Larry Nance Jr. (left knee soreness), Dylan Windler (stress reaction, left lower leg).

Notable: The Oklahoma City Thunder are rolling, with four consecutive victories and eight wins in their last nine games, while going 6-1 ATS in their last seven games. The Cleveland Cavaliers, meanwhile, have been competitive lately, going 4-3 in their last seven contests and 4-2 ATS in their last six.

It’s the first meeting since November 2018 between these two and the Thunder are not remotely the same team they were a season ago, when they swept Cleveland in two games while covering in both. One of those strange factoids, however, for the Cavaliers: They are 5-0 ATS in their last five games against Western Conference foes.

Denver Nuggets at Washington Wizards

TV: Altitude Sports (Nuggets), NBC Sports Washington (Wizards)
Tickets: Capital One Arena, 8 p.m. local (8 p.m. Eastern)
Records: Denver 24-10 (14-17-3 ATS, 7-7-1 road ATS), Washington 10-24 (16-17-1 ATS, 6-9 home ATS)

Availability report
Denver: OUT–Bol Bol (left foot injury management), PJ Dozier (two-way, G League).
Washington: Not required to submit report until 1 p.m. Eastern Saturday. In Friday’s 122-103 loss to the Trail Blazers, the Wizards did not have Bradley Beal (lower right leg soreness), Davis Bertans (right quad strain), Thomas Bryant (stress reaction, right foot), Rui Hachimura (groin injury), C.J. Miles (left wrist surgery), Justin Robinson (G League), Moritz Wagner (sprained left ankle) or John Wall (left Achilles rehab).

Notable: The Denver Nuggets enter Capital One Arena Saturday night as the rare double-digit road favorites. But that’s what happens when you’re the second-best team in the Western Conference and visit a Washington Wizards outfit that had seven players out injured while being blown out at home by the Trail Blazers Friday night.

So Washington is short-handed and on a SEGABABA — not a winning combo. However, the Nuggets are just 1-4-1 ATS in their last six games. But the Wizards are 1-4 ATS in their last five and Denver won the first meeting this season, taking a 117-104 homecourt victory on Nov. 26 while also covering as 10½-point favorites. This might be a game to avoid. Like the plague.

Boston Celtics at Chicago Bulls

TV: NBC Sports Boston (Celtics), NBC Sports Chicago (Bulls)
Tickets: United Center, 7 p.m. local (8 p.m. Eastern)
Records: Boston 24-8 (19-11-2 ATS, 10-5-1 road ATS), Chicago 13-22 (18-17 ATS, 9-10 home ATS)

Availability report
Boston: Not required to submit report until 2 p.m. Saturday. In Friday’s 109-106 win over the Hawks, Boston was without Carsen Edwards (G League), Tacko Fall (two-way, G League), Vincent Poirier (right pinkie fracture), Kemba Walker (illness) and Robert Williams (left hip, bone edema).
Chicago: OUT–Otto Porter (left foot fracture), Max Strus (left knee, ACL injury); PROBABLE–Ryan Arcidiacono (right elbow discomfort), Wendell Carter Jr. (right ankle sprain), Zach LaVine (left ankle sprain/right shoulder maintenance).

Notable: The Boston Celtics won, but did not cover, Friday night at home against the Hawks and now get a SEGABABA that includes a change in time zones. Boston didn’t have All-Star Kemba Walker Friday night and big man Enes Kanter took one on the chin — literally — and may not be able to go Saturday after needing stitches to close a gash on his chin.

These teams have not met this season, while the Celtics are 5-1 ATS in their last six games against the Chicago Bulls and have covered three of their last four on the road. Chicago has been a sneaky good cover this season, but are below .500 ATS at home, where they are 3-3 ATS in their last six. But the Bulls have been a good bet for awhile now, going 11-5 ATS in their last 16 games.

Charlotte Hornets at Dallas Mavericks

TV: Fox Sports Southeast-Charlotte (Hornets), Fox Sports Southwest-Dallas (Mavericks)
Tickets: American Airlines Center, 7:30 p.m. local (8:30 p.m. Eastern)
Records: Charlotte 14-23 (17-19-1 ATS, 9-9-1 road ATS), Dallas 22-12 (19-15 ATS, 7-10 home ATS)

Availability report
Charlotte: OUT–Robert Franks (two-way, G League), Caleb Martin (G League), Jalen McDaniels (G League), Kobi Simmons (two-way, G League).
Dallas: OUT–Ryan Broekhoff (left fibula fracture), Kristaps Porzingis (right knee soreness), Isaiah Roby (right plantar fascia); QUESTIONABLE–Tim Hardaway Jr. (left hamstring strain), Delon Wright (left foot soreness).

Notable: The Charlotte Hornets come in off a road win at Cleveland, but taking on the Dallas Mavericks in their own building is an entirely different challenge. The Mavericks, however, won’t have Kristaps Porzingis and may be without Delon Wright and Tim Hardaway Jr., as well. But the Hornets are just 1-4 ATS in their last five and Dallas will still have Luka Doncic.

The Mavericks are 2-4 ATS in their last six games, while going 1-3 ATS in their last four at home. For the season, Dallas is just 7-10 ATS at American Airlines Center. While Charlotte is 9-9-1 ATS on the road this season, they have just two covers in their last seven matchups with the Mavericks. This is the first of the two annual meetings between these teams.

San Antonio Spurs at Milwaukee Bucks

TV: Fox Sports Southwest-San Antonio (Spurs), Fox Sports Wisconsin (Bucks)
Tickets: Fiserv Forum, 7:30 p.m. local (8:30 p.m. Eastern)
Records: San Antonio 14-19 (11-21-1 ATS, 6-7-1 road ATS), Milwaukee 31-5 (21-15 ATS, 11-8 home ATS)

Availability report
San Antonio: OUT–Drew Eubanks (two-way, G League), Keldon Johnson (G League), Chimezie Metu (G League), Dejounte Murray (personal reasons), Luka Samanic (G League), Quinndary Weatherspoon (two-way, G League).
Milwaukee: OUT–Dragan Bender (G League), Donte DiVincenzo (rest), Frank Mason (two-way, G League), Cameron Reynolds (two-way, G League).

Notable: The team with the second-most covers in the NBA hosting the guys with the fewest. But the San Antonio Spurs haven’t been bad against the number lately, especially on the road, where they are 3-0-1 ATS in their last four. The Milwaukee Bucks are 4-2 ATS in their last six games at home and 13-4 ATS overall in their last 17 outings.

It’s the first meeting this season between San Antonio — with Gregg Popovich — and the Bucks, coached by former Popovich aide Mike Budenholzer, which can often be an interesting dynamic. The Spurs are 2-1 ATS in their last three meetings with Milwaukee, which has won two of the three straight up.

Detroit Pistons at Golden State Warriors

TV: Fox Sports Detroit (Pistons), NBC Sports Bay Area (Warriors)
Tickets: Chase Center, 5:30 p.m. local (8:30 p.m. Eastern)
Records: Detroit 12-23 (12-22-1 ATS, 4-12-1 road ATS), Golden State 9-27 (17-18-1 ATS, 8-8-1 home ATS)

Availability report
Detroit: OUT–Jordan Bone (two-way, G League), Blake Griffin (left knee soreness), Reggie Jackson (stress reaction, left lumbar spine), Luke Kennard (bilateral patella tendinitis), Markieff Morris (left foot sprain), Khyri Thomas (right foot surgery).
Golden State: OUT–Stephen Curry (left hand fracture), Kevon Looney (left abdominal soreness), D’Angelo Russell (right shoulder contusion), Klay Thompson (left ACL rehabilitation); QUESTIONABLE–Willie Cauley-Stein (illness).

Notable: How far have the Golden State Warriors fallen? They are underdogs … at home … to a Detroit Pistons team that has lost its last three games by a combined 64 points. Woof. The Pistons are just 1-8 ATS in their last nine games, but Golden State is 5-2 ATS in its last seven games, so this could be a potential easy money pick.

If only you could really trust what’s left of the Warriors, that is. While there’s no real sense in looking at the history in this matchup, since they have yet to play each other this season, it’s worth noting Detroit has covered the last four times it’s faced Golden State — when the Warriors were all dynastic and stuff.

New Orleans Pelicans at Sacramento Kings

TV: Fox Sports New Orleans (Pelicans), NBC Sports California (Kings)
Tickets: Golden 1 Center, 7 p.m. local (10 p.m. Eastern)
Records: New Orleans 11-24 (14-18-2 ATS, 6-9-2 road ATS), Sacramento 13-22 (18-17 ATS, 6-10 home ATS)

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Availability report
New Orleans: Not required to submit report until 4 p.m. Eastern. In Friday’s XXX at the Lakers, the Pelicans did not have Zylan Cheatham (two-way, G League), Josh Gray (two-way, G League), Darius Miller (right Achilles surgery) or Zion Williamson (right knee scope).
Sacramento: OUT–Marvin Bagley III (left foot sprain), Kyle Guy (two-way, G League), DaQuan Jeffries (two-way, G League); DOUBTFUL–Bogdan Bogdanovic (right ankle soreness).

Notable: The New Orleans Pelicans arrive for a road-road SEGABABA after getting a push in a 10-point loss to the Lakers in L.A. Friday night. While New Orleans is 4-1-1 ATS in its last six games on the road, the Sacramento Kings just snapped an eight-game losing streak Thursday night by beating the Grizzlies and are just 2-7 ATS in their last nine games.

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Sacramento is also just 1-7 ATS in its last eight games at Golden 1 Center. This is another case where history may not be a guide — the Pelicans are 4-1 straight up and ATS in their last five meetings with the Kings, but they are a very different team this season having traded away Anthony Davis.